Taboo – A Dark Descent into Power, Revenge, and Empire

Taboo is a gripping British drama series that first aired in 2017, co-created by Tom Hardy, Steven Knight, and Chips Hardy. Set in 1814 London, the series plunges viewers into a world of corruption, colonialism, and forbidden secrets. With a brooding tone, lush period detail, and a central performance that commands every scene, Taboo is as haunting as it is mesmerizing.

Tom Hardy stars as James Keziah Delaney, a mysterious and intense man long believed to be dead. He returns to England from Africa following the death of his father, bringing with him a reputation shrouded in violence, whispered rituals, and rumored madness. Delaney's unexpected return disrupts the plans of powerful institutions, including the East India Company, the Crown, and his own estranged family.

What unfolds is a tale of vengeance and ambition. James inherits a strategic piece of land in North America—Nootka Sound—which becomes the center of a ruthless power struggle between Britain and the newly independent United States. But Delaney is not merely seeking wealth; he is on a calculated, personal mission to uncover buried truths and destroy those who wronged him and his bloodline.

The series thrives on its atmospheric world-building. The streets of London are depicted as grimy, cold, and brimming with vice. Smoke, fog, and shadow are constant companions, giving the show a gothic, almost supernatural edge. At times brutal and disturbing, Taboo doesn't shy away from the darkness of its era—whether it's colonial greed, class cruelty, or human depravity.

Tom Hardy's portrayal of Delaney is hypnotic. He speaks in whispers, explodes in violence, and carries the weight of trauma and secrets in every glare. The supporting cast—including Jonathan Pryce, Oona Chaplin, Stephen Graham, and Jessie Buckley—adds richness and tension to a complex narrative web of betrayal, espionage, and forbidden love.

Thematically, Taboo explores identity, legacy, and the blurred lines between civilization and savagery. James is both a product of empire and its greatest threat—part English gentleman, part tribal outcast, part avenging ghost. His enemies underestimate him, but his knowledge of trade, warfare, and spiritual forces make him a formidable and unpredictable force.

Taboo is not fast-paced or easy to digest. It demands patience, attention, and a taste for the macabre. But for those willing to venture into its murky depths, it offers a rich, original story full of tension, mystery, and poetic darkness.

Season 2 has long been anticipated—and if it continues the saga, the storm James Delaney brings with him is far from over.